Another official sentenced for forestry corruption conviction

EoF News / 27 April 2012

EoF News (PEKANBARU) — A former Forestry Service head in Riau province was charged of five year imprisonment by Anti-corruption Court in Pekanbaru on Wednesday for found guilty of receiving bribery and fee from companies as he issued logging licenses for several timber companies.

The decision is made by the Judges of the Anti-corruption court is in line with charge that requested by Prosecutors, DetikNews reported Wednesday. Syuhada Tasman, the defendant, told the Judges that he would consult the punishment to his lawyers whether he will appeal or not.

The judges said that the defendant was found guilty receiving gratification amount to Rp 800 million from some companies when he was Riau Forestry Service Head in 2003, DetikNews reported.

Syuhada issued annual work plan (RKT, annual logging permit) in Pelalawan district to six companies that affiliated to Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Limited (APRIL), said Ida Bagus Dwiyantara, the presiding judge.

"The defendant’s action is not acceptable due to [he] already knew that recommendaton issuance [of annual logging permit] will be against the Law, considering some staff at the forestry service had provided advice to the defendant. But, the defendant still issued licenses to companies with a reason that he obtained recommendation from Riau Governor HM Rusli Zainal,” said the judge.

Prosecutors of the case accused Syuhada of casuing State’s loss amount to Rp 153 billion for issuing the logging permits to the six companies, DetikNews reported.

Syuhada are the fourth official in Riau whom sentenced to jail relating to corruption case for issuance of logging permits. The first is Azmun Jaafar with 11 year-imprisonment, then Asral Rachman, former Forestry Service Head (5 years in jail), and Arwin A.S., former Siak District Head (4 years in jail).

Burhanuddin Husein, former Riau Forestry Service head, is detained by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), for allegation of issuing logging licenses and he was not tried yet at the court.